Monday's letters: Protected by a thin blue line

Monday

Feb 4, 2013 at 12:01 AM

I have known Eddie Ridgeway since the 1970s. He came across as a big, overbearing bully, but as I came to know him I realized he was just a big teddy bear. I watched him progress through the ranks as a city police officer. He chose a career of public service and I chose the private sector. Our paths did not cross often.

I have known Eddie Ridgeway since the 1970s. He came across as a big, overbearing bully, but as I came to know him I realized he was just a big teddy bear. I watched him progress through the ranks as a city police officer. He chose a career of public service and I chose the private sector. Our paths did not cross often.Years later, I attended the Spartanburg City Citizens Police Academy. We were given the opportunity to ride along with police officers. My request was to ride with Officer Ridgeway. The first ride-along was uneventful. I did, however, see parts of Spartanburg I didn’t know existed. I saw the disdain in the eyes of the criminals for officers like Eddie.The second ride-along was quite different. We had gunshots at an apartment complex, a reverse sting prostitution operation, and an event that changed my attitude and opinion of every police officer. A call came in for shots fired at a local motel. Officer Ridgeway activated his blue lights and siren to respond. I said, well, finally this is what I signed up for, an emergency response through the streets of Spartanburg on a Saturday night.As we sped down Daniel Morgan Avenue, I asked who he thought would get there first. Eddie’s quick reply was that we would. In that moment, I realized I was in real danger, a danger Eddie and other officers face every day. We were first on the scene, and Officer Ridgeway jump out without hesitation and approached the room where the shots were fired.I gained great respect for Officer Ridgeway and a new appreciation for what our police officers face on a daily basis. It is truly a thin blue line that protects our community.My prayers will be for Eddie in the days and weeks ahead.William LittlejohnSpartanburg

Students from across the country come to Spartanburg to complete their higher education. Many will leave after graduation, but that doesn’t mean Spartanburg won’t benefit from their time here!The seven colleges in Spartanburg’s College Town Consortium (Converse College, Sherman College of Chiropractic, Spartanburg Community College, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Spartanburg Methodist College, University of South Carolina Upstate, Wofford College) have collaborated to plan a 12-hour dance-a-thon, The All Nighter, to benefit Gibbs Cancer Center. Realizing that all of us are impacted by cancer, the students plan to raise funds and educate the community about the struggles and triumphs that cancer patients and their families face.The All Nighter will be held at USC Upstate’s G.B. Hodge Center from 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, to 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23. Students will dance and hear stories from families who have been served by Gibbs — all while staying on their feet for 12 hours!A friendly competition is brewing between students to see which school can raise the most money and have the most student dancers. If you want to support a particular school, if you or someone you love has been affected by cancer, or if you want to support this effort — we are asking for your support.Please donate to The All Nighter by visiting our website at www.collegetownallnighter.com and clicking “Donate.” You will have the opportunity to credit your donation to the college of your choice. For a donation of at least $25, you can sponsor a music record in honor or memory of someone who has battled cancer. Records will be displayed at the event. All proceeds benefit Gibbs Cancer Center.The students are passionate about sparking a new tradition for Spartanburg. Won’t you consider joining them?Kristen Langlois and Anna McNamaraAll Nighter co-chairs, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine